All Posts

Testosterone

Use code 'TAT' if you would like to support me

Introduction

(disclaimer) PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU’VE READ & UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE BASICS SECTION

Essential Supplies

To get started, you will need the following items.
‍An ** indicates the item is optional

Testosterone - How do you use Testosterone to gain muscle?

Health First.

Before delving into the use of Testosterone for muscle gain, it's crucial to prioritize health. Here's a comprehensive list of tools, medications, and supplements to have accessible during your Testosterone use:

  • AI, Aromatase Inhibitor: Estrogen control if needed.
    • Anastrozole/Arimidex (guide link), Exemestane/Aromasin (guide link) Letrozole/Femara; preference varies by genetics and degree of desired estrogen control.
  • ARB, Angiotensin Receptor Blocker: Blood pressure control if needed.
    • Losartan/Cozaar, Telmisartan/Micardis (guide link), Valsartan/Diovan; Telmisartan preferred.
  • Blood Pressure Monitor: Daily or weekly monitoring, especially if introducing blood pressure medications.
    • Blood pressure monitor
    • Upper arm cuff is preferred. Test after waking up when you are calm, seated, and stationary. You may test 1-3x in one sitting. Weekly testing is sufficient, but if blood pressure is higher than 130/90 or 120/80, start testing daily and intervene with meds.
  • Bloodwork: Monitor internal health.
    • Choose a bloodwork panel from AlgoDX.ai, then go in-person to a Labcorp to get the blood drawn. Results arrive in 7-14 days.
    • To determine what bloodwork is right for you, see the bloodwork section.
    • Test every 4-10 weeks, or at minimum four times annually. I encourage getting bloodwork done before, during, and after use of AAS at doses that exceed natural levels, or before changing any variables (additions / dose changes) during a use course of AAS.
  • Needles, Sterilization, Syringes: For proper injections.
    • Sterile alcohol swabs to limit infection risk.
    • The smaller the gauge, the thicker the needle. Example: 20g is thicker than 25g.
      • Drawing needles: 18g, 20g, 22g; length doesn’t matter
      • Injecting needles: 25g, 27g, 29g; 1” or 1/2”
      • Syringes: 1cc, 3cc
      • GPZmedlab.com / Researchem.is use “TAT”
    • The thicker the needle, the bigger the risk of scar tissue buildup. Scar tissue can cause reduced range of motion, pain or discomfort, and makes future injections more difficult.
      • Imagine stacking a dozen tortilla chips and trying to skewer them with a metal straw. That’s what sticking a needle into scar tissue feels like - crunching, squeaky, awful.
  • Cholesterol: Lipid control if needed.
    • CAI, Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitor: Ezetimibe.
    • Statins, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor: Pitavastatin, Rosuvastatin; preference depends on the individual’s genetic affinity for hydrophilic (Rosuvastatin) or lipophilic (Pitavastatin).
  • Fertility: Fertility maintenance if desired.
    • Gonadotropin mimetics: HCG.
    • Gonadotropin secretagogues: Enclomiphene.
    • Recombinant gonadotropins: HMG, rLH, rFSH.
  • Hair: Hair loss prevention if desired.
    • 5-alpha reductase inhibitors: Dutasteride, Finasteride; Dutasteride preferred orally, Finasteride preferred topically.
    • Anti-androgens: RU-58841
    • Vasodilators: Minoxidil, Tadalafil
  • SERM, Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator: Estrogen / Gynecomastia control if needed.
    • Raloxifene, Tamoxifen/Nolvadex; preference depends on genetic response and if estrogen reduction from Tamoxifen is desired.

Ester - What ester of testosterone do I buy?

Esters of testosterone change the duration of the compound active life in your body.

  • Example: Testosterone Cypionate has a 7-day half-life. See my Basics section (link).

What about Sustanon?

Sustanon is a blend of multiple testosterone esters (propionate, phenylpropionate, isocaproate, decanoate). Some esters like propionate are very short (20h half life), whereas others like decanoate are very long (14 day half life).

  • It is generally not a good idea to buy UGL blends of any kind, including Sustanon, because it requires more attention to detail and stricter cross-contamination processes than single-ester testosterones.

Can I switch esters safely?

You can switch esters safely.

  • Keep in mind if you immediately switch from a short ester (such as propionate or phenylpropionate) to a longer ester (such as cypionate, enanthate, or decanoate), you will experience a crash before the longer ester peaks.
    • To avoid this crash, continue running the short ester with the longer ester and gradually fade out the short ester dose over the course of 5 half-lives of the longer ester.
    • Example: Switching from test P (testosterone propionate) to test C (testosterone cypionate).Test C requires at maximum 5 weeks to reach peak serum concentration. Gradually reduce your test P dosage to zero over the course of 5 weeks. At the end of week 5, your test P dosage should be 0mg.

Source - Where do I buy testosterone?

  • “When you’ve done enough research to use it safely, you’ll know where to get it”
    • See my research section.
  • Legally, the only method to acquire it is to see a TRT clinic and qualify for a testosterone prescription, or have it prescribed by your doctor (it is federally illegal to purchase and use testosterone otherwise).
  • Sources are available to clients only. Become a client here.

Vials - How many vials do I need to buy for my cycle?

Here’s the simple math on finding how many vials you need:

  • Required number of testosterone vials = (total milligrams needed for cycle + cruise) divided by total milligrams per vial

And here’s that math in an example:

  • If you want to do a 16-week cycle of 300mg/wk, you need 16 x 300mg = 4800mg for the cycle.
  • For an 8-week cruise after the cycle of 150mg/wk, you need 8 x 150mg = 1200mg.
  • The total milligrams you need for the cycle + cruise is 4800+1200 = 6000mg.

So now you know the milligrams, do the math for your source and their vials:

  • If your source sells 10ml vials concentrated at 300mg/ml, each vial is 10ml x 300mg/ml = 3000mg. Each vial is 3000mg.
  • With this example, you need 2 vials.

Always get an extra vial or two in case you break/lose one (I personally get 2 extra vials).

Dosing 1- How much testosterone should I take per week for my first cycle?

For the vast majority of beginners, 3-5 milligrams of testosterone enanthate/cypionate per kilogram of body weight per week is a well-tolerated dose.

  • This is roughly 300 mg - 400 mg for most people, some more some less.
  • Ex: You weigh 80 kg. 80 kg x 4 mg = 320 mg of testosterone per week.

If you’re responding well and want to push your first cycle harder, after getting bloodwork at week 8 you can increase the dose.

  • 4mg/kg to 6mg/kg is a reasonable increase that some people can tolerate.
  • Run your increased dose for another 8 weeks to assess tolerance.

The goal is to find your testosterone sweet spot. Think of it like this: how much testosterone can you handle without estrogen control intervention?

  • Keep in mind - this varies person to person.
  • If you want to push doses beyond this sweet spot, you’ll need an AI or to stack a compound with AI-like effects.

I want to do a lower dose than 4mg/kg per week. Is this okay?

  • Your serum total testosterone levels in ng/dl typically respond at 4x - 6x your weekly milligram dose of testosterone, some guys respond 3x or lower, others respond 7x or higher.
    • This serum response doesn’t necessarily indicate you’re a hyper responder for muscle-building purposes.
  • If your natural levels are fairly high or even average, you could lose gains on a low dose.
    • For example, your natural total test is 800ng/dl and you take testosterone at 150mg/wk: 150mg/wk * 4 = 600ng/dl.
    • You lost 200ng/dl.
  • If your natural testosterone levels are very high, 1000ng/dl or above, you may want to consider 5-6mg/kg of testosterone per week.

So on my first day injecting, do I jump straight to my dose or bridge up to it?

  • Bridge up your doses always.
  • If your weekly dose is 350/wk, you may want to start week 1 at 150/wk, week 2 at 250/wk, and then week 3 at 350/wk.

Dosing 2+ - How much testosterone should I take per week for my 2nd cycle & beyond?

NOTE: Whenever you change doses, either from TRT/cruise doses to blast or bumping up a dose on a blast, do so gradually.

  • If you jump from 150 test to 500 test overnight, the chance you experience side effects is very high.
  • Gradually up your doses, by 100mg per week or so, until you reach your desired dose - this is universally a more comfortable experience for users.

Make a comfortable increase in total milligrams from your previous cycle, adjusting as needed depending on the compounds you’re stacking.

You may not even increase your testosterone from the last cycle. Examples:

  • Aggressive progression example:
    • Cycle 1: 6wks 300 test (+ AI), 6wks 400 test 200 bold cyp/ace, 6wks +50 var daily
    • Cycle 2: 6wks 500 test 250 EQ 3iu GH, 6wks 700 test 350 EQ 5iu GH, 6wks +50 adrol daily
    • Cycle 3: 8wks 500 test 500 primo 7iu GH, 8wks 700 test 700 primo 100 tren 10iu GH
  • Moderate progression example:
    • Cycle 1: 8wks 300 test (+ AI), 8wks 500 test + AI
    • Cycle 2: 8wks 400 test 200 mast, 8wks 400 test 200 mast; 25 var (daily)
    • Cycle 3: 8wks 400 test 100 NPP 100 mast, 400 test 200 NPP 200 mast
  • Reserved progression example:
    • Cycle 1: 16wks 300 test (+ AI)
    • Cycle 2: 16wks 300 test 150 primo
    • Cycle 3: 16wks 300 test 150 primo 150 npp

Stack - I want to add something to my first testosterone cycle. What should I add?

  • First, understand the half life of the compound you’re considering
  • For additions partway through a cycle, do not add long ester compounds such as EQ or Deca - instead consider fast half life additions (ex: Mast propionate, NPP, Anadrol) or average half life options (ex: Mast enanthate, Primo enanthate).
  • You may experiment with combining long half life compounds with test on your future cycles (ex: Test & Deca 2:1 20wks).
  • Second, understand the properties of the compound you’re considering
  • Some compounds can have downward pressure on estrogen, or prolactin-related effects. Be mindful of these effects when choosing compounds.
  • If your goal is to grow muscle, most people grow best on one (or more) of these compounds:
    • Boldenone (Bold ace, Bold cyp, EQ)AI* 1:2 bold:test
    • Metenolone (Primobolan/Primo)AI 1:1 primo:test
    • Nandrolone (Deca, NPP) 1:2 to 1:1 deca/npp:test
    • Oxymetholone (Anadrol) anadrol guide
  • If your goal is to get stronger, most people see their most strength gains on one of these compounds:
    • Injectable Ecdysterone/Turkesterone
    • Dihydroboldenone (DHB) 1:4 to 1:2 DHB:test
    • Drostanolone (Masteron)AI 1:2 mast:test
    • Fluoxymesterone (Halotestin/Halo)
    • Oxandrolone (Anavar) anavar guide
    • Oxymetholone (Anadrol) anadrol guide
    • Trenbolone (Tren) 100mg/wk
  • If your goal is to get leaner, most people get shredded the best on one of these compounds:
    • Drostanolone (Masteron)AI 1:2 to 1:1 mast:test
    • Metenolone (Primobolan/Primo)AI 1:1 primo:test
    • Stanozolol (Winstrol)
    • Trenbolone (Tren) 100mg/wk

Why are tren doses only 100mg/wk?

Unless you’re about to compete in a pro qualifier, there’s not much need for more tren.

If you’re cutting, a strong diet and cardio regimen is the vast majority of your results. Dedicated natties can get shredded better than a lazy tren abuser.

If you’re bulking, you don’t need tren at all. There are better growing compounds.

Inject - How do I inject testosterone?

  1. Prepare the materials:
    • Crack off the testosterone vial lid (it just pops off).
    • Sanitize the testosterone vial rubber stopper with the alcohol swab.
    • Sanitize the desired injection site with the alcohol swab.
      • For possible injection sites, see SpotInjections. Preferred sites include ventrogluteal, gluteal, delt, and quad (if done properly).
      • Google “[injection site] TRT” for more tutorials (e.g., “ventrogluteal TRT”).
  2. Prepare the syringe:
    • If using an insulin syringe, ignore instructions about swapping between drawing/injecting needles (insulin needles are built-in and not intended to be removed).
    • Unpackage your drawing needle, injecting needle, and syringe.
    • Attach the drawing needle to your syringe (it should twist on easily).
    • Remove the needle cap and pull on the plunger to draw air into the syringe equal to your desired dose.
  3. Draw the testosterone:
    • Needle-down, insert the drawing needle through the rubber stopper and into the testosterone vial, then inject all of the air (this pressurizes the vial to make drawing liquid easier).
    • Flip the vial + syringe needle-up (the bottom of your vial should be facing the ceiling), and pull the syringe plunger slowly to reach your desired milliliters (drawing may be slow if using a small drawing needle or an insulin needle).
    • Flip the vial + syringe needle-down (the bottom of your vial should be facing the floor), remove the needle from the vial.
    • Set aside the testosterone vial and place the cap on the drawing needle.
    • Twist off the drawing needle, set it aside, and attach the injecting needle to the syringe.
  4. Warm the oil:
    • Warm the oil with your desired method to reduce post-injection pain:
      • Hold the syringe horizontally and run hot water over the oil in the syringe, being careful not to get any water near the injecting needle; then dry it.
      • Alternatively, microwave a rice bag, remove it from the microwave, wrap it around the syringe, and wait for the oil to warm.
      • The oil is warmed perfectly when you can touch the barrel of the syringe to your lips and it’s not uncomfortably hot, nor too cold.
  5. Remove air bubbles:
    • Remove the injecting needle cap, hold needle-up, and push on the plunger to remove any air bubble(s).
    • Allow a droplet of oil to glide down the needle of the syringe (this helps lubricate it and makes for an easier injection).
  6. Perform the injection:
    • Perform an intramuscular injection in your desired injection site.
    • Push the plunger of the syringe slowly (going too fast risks an abscess or unneeded stress at the injection site).
  7. Post-injection care:
    • Place the cap on the injecting needle.
    • Wipe the area with an alcohol swab to disinfect and clean up any blood.
    • Apply a bandage if bleeding persists (that’s normal sometimes, don’t worry).
    • Dispose of your needles, syringes, needle/syringe packaging, alcohol swabs, etc.
    • To further reduce virgin muscle soreness/post-injection pain, do some light cardio (preferably inject each morning, and then do low-intensity steady state cardio).

What needles do I use?

  • Preferred: 27g ½” injecting needles, and 18-20g 1” or 1.5” drawing needles (from GPZ MedLab, not affiliated).
  • Alternatively: 27g ½” 1cc insulin needles (takes longer to draw oil using a 27g and backfilling is annoying, so switched to current setup).

How often do I inject testosterone?

  • Depends on testosterone ester:
    • Longer esters (cypionate, enanthate) can be injected 2x per week at minimum.
    • Shorter esters (propionate) may need to be injected 3-4x per week at minimum.
    • Ester blends (sustanon) are limited by their shortest ester (sustanon contains propionate, may need to inject 3-4x per week at minimum).
    • Generally, the more frequently you inject, the fewer side effects (e.g., daily administrations minimize hormone flux, reducing high estrogenic effects and need for an AI).

When do I inject testosterone?

  • Preferably earlier in the day (more movement and blood flow helps process the oil depot in the muscle).

I want to inject more than one compound at a time. Can I combine (xyz) with test?

  • Yes.
    • Example 1: Testosterone + boldenone is fine to be in the same syringe (boldenone is an oil-based steroid).
    • Example 2: GH + testosterone is fine to be in the same syringe (GH is a water-based peptide).
    • Contrary to popular belief, it's safe to combine water and oil-based compounds in the same syringe (may make for an awkward/uncomfy injection sometimes).

To combine multiple compounds:

  • Draw all the compounds you need with your drawing needle.
  • Switch to your injecting needle and perform your injection.
  • No need to inject air into every vial, only inject air into the vial where you’ll pull the largest amount out (usually testosterone).
  • You may periodically go in reverse order if concerned about pressure levels in other vials.
  • Example: (Test → MENT) 3x, (MENT → Test) 1x, (Test → MENT) 3x…
    • Shoot air into your test vial, draw, and then draw from your MENT vial for 3 injection days.
    • On the fourth injection day, shoot air into your MENT vial, draw, and then draw from your test vial. Repeat.

SIDES - I think I’m not handling my dose very well. What should I do?

Unwanted high estrogenic effects:

  • Introduce an AI such as Arimidex or Aromasin.
    • (NOTE: the following dosing protocols are intended to be loose guidelines. You may need to adjust your dose.)
    • Aromasin: Divide your weekly testosterone dose by 20. That is your weekly dose of Aromasin in milligrams, divided across your injecting days.
    • Arimidex: Divide your weekly testosterone dose by 500. That is your weekly dose of Arimidex in milligrams, divided across your injecting days.
    • Increase your dose if unwanted high estrogenic effects persist after 1-2 weeks.
    • Decrease your dose if experiencing unwanted low estrogenic effects.

Slightly high blood pressure:

  • Introduce Tadalafil 5mg/day.

Very high blood pressure:

  • See the Telmisartan guide.

Elevated blood pressure:

  • This can cause kidney stress. To protect them, consider implementing Renal Reset (discount code “TAT”).

Nipple sensitivity (a precursor to gyno):

  • Introduce an AI as above.
  • If you have developed gyno or your gyno is worsening, introduce Raloxifene at 60mg/day.

Hair loss:

  • Introduce RU-58841 and Minoxidil 10%.
  • See my hair loss guide for other hair loss options.

Prostate concerns:

  • Consider Flow Maxxed (discount code “TAT”).

Water retention:

  • Ensure you’re getting a good amount of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, etc.).
  • Ensure you are drinking a good amount of water every day (1-2 gallons daily).
  • Control estrogen with Arimidex, Aromasin, or Letrozole.
  • Control aldosterone with Telmisartan.
  • Use a diuretic (strongly discouraged); examples: Hydrochlorothiazide, Diazide.
    • Do NOT DM me about how to use diuretics, I will NOT help you. Diuretics are unacceptable without coach supervision. Your coach will help you.

Length - I want to do a cycle of 12 weeks or shorter. Is this okay?

Shorter cycles don’t allow for maximal results out of the compounds you’re using.

  • Typically, 16 weeks is a good minimum cycle length, and 24-30 weeks maximum depending on individual tolerance.

By doing a shorter cycle, you are effectively subjecting your body to a variety of side effect risks, natural testosterone production shutdown, and systemic stress for suboptimal physique/strength results.

‍

FAQ